Method of vulcanizing rubber



.F. 0. E. STONE.

METHOD OF V ULCANIZING RUBBER.

APPLICATION FILED "11.30, 1920- 1,368,071. Patented Feb. 8; 1921.

Frank 0. E Srorze awwew fez Sum 01, v

@FFICE.

sronn,oa er seen,

OHIO.

ieeaoa iipplie 2 all whom it may cmzccm-r Be it known that I, FRANK ll. STOKE. a citizener" the United States, residing at Akron, in thecounty of Summit and rubber or similar substance.

Objects of the invention are to provide a method for. vulcanizing rubber which will requlre'only simple and inexpensive equipment and which in use will require less labor,

. gree sufiicient to secure liquefaction.

be more convenient, rapid and economical and produce a stronger. tougher, more elastic and resilient product than is produced by any method heretofore lmovvn.-

Another abject is to provide a method whereby almost iany article composed in Whole or in part of rubber or similar ma terial may be vulcanized or cured without the use of the usual molds, presses or other expensive machinery and equipment.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a method whereby a metal medium is employed to efiect the vulcanization or ouringof rubber or similar substance and to further provide a simple, practical means whereby rubber may be given a dry cure and vrliereby the use of steam or hot Water is entirely eliminated.

The above and other objects are accomplished as hereinafter set forth, it being understood that the invention is capable oftvarious adaptations and that changes and alterations may be made or substitutions the-- sorted to which come within the spirit of th invention or the scope of the claims here unto appended.

In. carrying out the invention, l employ anv easilt fusible metal or alloy such as those composed of bismuth. leadand tin mixed in the proper proportions to liqueiy at a tern perature slightly above the degree of heat necessary to effect vulcanization. The per-attire of tlie'metal is first raised to a $116 article to be vulcanized is immersed in or surrounded by the molten metal which is then allowed to solidify, the metal being conipounded as above set forth. the proportions of its constituents being arranaed to insure solidification at a temperature above the degree of best necessary to eilect proper vul- Spceii'ication of Llutented Feb. 8., i921.

.rlon tiled lentil 30, 13:36. Serial No. 377,765.

to coagulate the article contained therein, whereupon the metal is then quicklv liquefied by raising; its temperature and the vulcanized article is removed therefrom.

To more clearly illustrate the invention, 1 have furnislie herewith a drawing which forms-a part hereof and in which I have shown a way in which my method may carried out with the use of simple instruznentalities and in whichl have employed similar numerals of reference to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a perspective view of a contamer showing a rubber heel and a rubber eraser positioned therein and also illustrating the manner in which molten metal may be poured thereon.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of said container talzen approximately on line It I of Fig. 1:, showing the same filled with metal and also showing said articles of rubber embedded therein.

As before set forth, any low fusible substance may be employed, preferably a substance composed of two or more metals intimately united. The ratio of the composition varyingin accordance with the degree oi heat at which l'usibilityis desired. The articles of rubbcr,'or rubber composition, such as tl1el1eel6 or the eraser i is preferably preformed and placed in a container 8, the 7 is subject to heat and thus liquefied,

metal e whereupon it is poured over and around the articles 6 and 7 as shown in Fig. 1. The metal is then allowed to solidify and the articles 6 and 7 are thus iirrnlypmbedded in solid metal. The heat is then applied and the metal is then kept at the vulcanizing temperature for the time required. The metal is then allowed to cool. thereby allowing the article being cured to completely coagulate. Then the metal is quickly liquefied and drawn oil. or the articles are other wise removed therefrom.

It is to be understood that the method The metal is then cooled sufiicient' herein described is not confined to any par ticular article as the same may be used to vulcanize or cure any article composed in whole or in part of rubber or similar substance. It is also to be understood that the invention is not confined to the use of the fusible metal herein described, but that any substance may be used which-will liquefy and solidify within the range of temperature necessary to acquire the desired results.'

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is:-'

1. That process of vulcanizing rubber which comprises the following steps: heating a low fusible metallic substance to a degree suflicient to cause liquefaction; immersing the article to be 'v ulcanized therein, cooling the metallic substance to a degree sufficient to produce solidification; subjecting the solidified mass to avulcanizing heat for a sufficient period of time to insure vulcanization of the article incased therein; cooling the solidified mass until the article contained therein has thoroughly coagulated, then quickly heating the mass to 2.

degree of heat suflicient to liquefy the same and'removing the article therefrom.

2. That process of vulcanizing rubber which comprises, placing the rubber in a molten mass of low fusible metal; cooling the mass to a degree of heat necessary to secure solidification; subjecting the solidified mass to a vulcanizing heat; then raising the temperature of the mass sufficiently to secure liquefaction and removing the rubber therefrom.

3. That method of "ulcanizing rubber which consists in providing a substance composed of low fusible metals intimately united in proportions adapted to produce a substance which will liquefy at adegree of heat above that which is necessary to effect vulcanization; producing a liquefaction of said substance, bringing the article to be vulcanized in contact therewith. solidifying the substance and subjecting the whole to a vulcanizing heat; then producing a liquefaction of the substance and removing the vulcanized article from contact therewith.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK O. STONE. 

